Five habits to force yourself to work out

1. Make decisions when you’re warm

You have to set up an environment that lends itself to getting you out the door, says Scott Weiss, C.S.C.S, a New York-based exercise physiologist and trainer. Interestingly enough, in the wintertime, this might mean making the decision to hit the pavement when you’re warm—not cold, he says.

“We make bad decisions when our body is cold and we’re thinking about being even colder outside working out.” You’re more likely to go out and do what you need to do when you’re comfortable.

Make sure you are well organized, have an exercise routine and training program. It always helps to have your running kit set out the night before.

2. Set standing gym plans

"It’s easy to let yourself down—it’s harder to call the guy you reserved a squash court with at 7 p.m. and cancel."

Find yourself a training partner, you are far more likely to get yourself out of bed in the morning too if you know your partner is standing outside in the cold waiting for you. Have a look at these habits that will make you more consistent.

3. Sign Up for an Event…

And make sure that it is challenging and also scares you a little. (Depending on your fitness levels, think: 5km, a half-marathon, Ironman)

“Signing up for an event that involves fitness outside your normal comfort zone will require a plan of exercise, give you a reason to get to the gym, and add much-needed purpose to your workouts,”

To increase your motivation, sign up with a friend, or do it for a charity. You can also join the Life Habit community to receive more motivational material.

4. Write down a clear, specific goal

Telling yourself you should go to the gym is one thing. Telling yourself you want your abs to look their fittest on the beach trip you just booked in six months? That’s another (better) thing.

“One of the best motivating factors is a real-life goal.” Make sure that you set effective goals, goals that are realistic and well thought out.

5. Tell yourself: just do something

Ever thought you didn’t have time for full workout and skipped sweating all together because of it? Ditch that mindset: “You don’t have to beat yourself up about not getting cardio, flexibility work, and strength training in, some people think if they can’t do everything, the workout is useless.

I am sure you feel that you have to up the intensity when you get to the gym, but study after study will tell that just doing some exercise is better than no exercise. Once you have decided on your fitness goals for the year, you need to focus on creating good exercise habits.

Click here for the original article